Support system with quick-adjust support assembly

ABSTRACT

A shelf support system includes at least one support post (12), a tapered wedge member (20) located on the support post (12) and a supporting assembly (14). The supporting assembly (14) is structurally secured to a shelf frame (10) and includes a locking mechanism (18) rotatably supported by a collar (16). The locking mechanism (18) has a first position for press-fitting the wedge member (20) against the support posts (12) and a second position for allowing the shelf frame (10) to slide over the support post (12) and wedge member (20).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of provisional applicationno. 60/000,227, filed Jun. 15, 1995.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an item-supporting structurethat can be used to support shelving or other elements for carrying orsupporting any desired item. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a support assembly for use in, for example, a knock-downshelving system, to adjustably support shelves.

The support assembly of the present invention can be ideallyincorporated into a knock-down shelving system that includes a pluralityof support posts for supporting one or more shelves at corner supportassemblies thereof. The shelving system will include a snap-on wedgemember with detent means for adjustably locating the wedge member atpredetermined heights on the support post. In accordance with thepresent invention, each corner support assembly features a collar, whichis structurally associated with the shelf, and a locking mechanism, orflipper, rotatably supported by the collar and actuable between alocking position and an unlocking position. In the unlocking position,the corner support assemblies allow the shelf to translate relative tothe support posts. When the flippers are locked, the collars are securedto each respective wedge member and post by a wedging action. Operationof the flipper thus permits easy height adjustment of the shelf withoutthe need for tools, and also without compromising the load bearingcapacity of the shelving system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Shelving systems having adjustable height shelves and so-called"knock-down" type shelving systems are known, and each has utility inmany applications. For example, a knockdown shelving system withadjustable height shelves may be used in food service, industrial,commercial, hospital, and similar fields for storage of any desireditems.

One type of known adjustable, knockdown shelving system is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 3,424,111 (Maslow) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,508 (Maslow),which are assigned to the assignee of the subject invention. Theadjustable shelving system disclosed in these patents has achieved greatcommercial success under assignee's trademark SUPER ERECTA SHELF. Thisshelving system uses a plurality of cylindrical support posts providedwith a series of equally spaced, annular grooves on its outer surface. Abasic shelving system might include four support posts to support one ormore formed-wire shelves, with each shelf having afrusto-conicallyshaped collar at each corner for receiving a supportpost. A two-piece interlocking sleeve fits around the support post. Thesleeve features a rib on its interior surface for engaging one of thegrooves on the support post and has a frusto-conically-shaped outersurface, which is widest at the bottom, designed to complement the shapeof the shelf collars. The support posts fitted with sleeves are receivedin the collars of each shelf to assemble the shelving system. Whenassembled, the weight of the shelf creates a radially-inwardly directedforce between the collars and sleeves. This force brings the sleevesinto a locking relation with the posts and creates a wedging forcebetween the collars and sleeves.

While the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system has proven very successfulin providing an easy to assemble shelving system with a substantialload-bearing capacity, adjusting the shelves can sometimes require theuse of a hammer or other tool to disengage the shelf collars from thesleeves. The weight of the shelf and any items supported thereon,especially over time, can build up the wedging force between the shelfcollars and the sleeves to the point where a significant amount of forceis needed to raise the shelf off of the sleeves.

A shelving system with easy to adjust shelves is provided in U.S. Pat.No. 5,415,302. This shelving system uses hanger brackets to permit easyinstallation and adjustment of the shelves without requiring thedisassembly of the entire shelving system or the use of tools. Thisshelving system, known under the trademark QWIKSLOT SHELF, is alsoassigned to the assignee of the subject invention. The QWIKSLOT SHELFshelving system uses support posts formed with a plurality of elongatedslots at regular vertical intervals for receiving the hanger brackets.The slotted support post can also have annular grooves as discussedabove in the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system. A notch in each hangerbracket receives a truncated corner of a shelf.

The hanger brackets used in the QWIKSLOT SHELF shelving system allow foreasy adjustment of the shelves. A potential drawback in someapplications, however, is that shelves secured by means of the hangerbrackets do not provide the heavy-duty load bearing capacity of othershelving systems, such as the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system.

Still another type of successful shelving system, sold and marketedunder the trademark METROMAX and also assigned to the assignee of thesubject invention, features a "knock-down" shelving system that usestriangular support posts. Such a system is the subject of U.S. Pat. No.4,811,670, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,350, U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,337, and U.S.Pat. No. 5,279,231.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,670, a corner assembly for securing each cornerof a shelf to the triangular support post includes a wedge member, acorner bracket structurally associated with the shelf and a collar. Thewedge member snap-fits on the support post, and the collar and cornerbracket form a sleeve around the support post. The formed sleeve fitsagainst the support post and wedge member and supports the shelf by awedging force.

The shelving systems in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,350, U.S Pat. No. 5,271,337,and U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,231, feature modular shelves in combination withthe triangular support posts. The modular shelves include a rectangularshelf frame formed from two end beams connected to two side beams. Acenter beam may be inserted between the end beams, parallel to the sidebeams, to increase the loadbearing capacity of the system. A pluralityof plastic shelf mats are adapted to be snap-fit onto the shelf frame.The shelf frame is secured to the support post by corner assembliescomprised of a corner portion of the end beam, a wedge member and aseparate collar. A sleeve formed by the corner portion and the collar isseated on the support post and wedge member and secured by a wedgingaction. Two lock cylinders lock the collar to the corner portion tosecure the sleeve.

While the design of the modular shelf provides many advantages,adjusting the shelf can, on occasion, require use of a hammer or othertool to disengage the formed sleeve from the wedge member for the samereasons discussed above in connection with the SUPER ERECTA SHELFshelving system.

Despite the significant utility and commercial success of theabove-described shelving systems, a need exists for an improved supportassembly in which the shelving system may be easily assembled and theshelves easily adjusted to different heights without the need for anytools, and in which the shelves are secured in a static manner toprovide a load carrying capacity suitable for heavy-duty use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of explanation, the present invention will be describedwith reference to a shelving system. However, in its broadest aspect,this invention relates to a support assembly capable of use in manytypes of support systems. The support system can support shelves, asdescribed below in greater detail, and other elements for carrying awide variety of items. For example, the support system can supportcombinations of shelving, drawers, work surfaces, racks, bins, hooks andthe like.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a shelf support assembly for use in an easy to assemble and easyto adjust heavy-duty shelving system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shelf supportassembly that can be quickly and easily adjusted.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf supportassembly that is statically secured to the shelving system to providesubstantial load-bearing capacity.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shelf supportassembly that is readily adaptable to various types of support posts.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a support systemcomprises a support post, a tapered wedge member located on the supportpost, and support means for adjustably supporting a member. The supportmeans includes a locking mechanism having a first position forpress-fitting the wedge members against the support posts and a secondposition for allowing the member to slide over the support posts.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system forsupporting a member comprises a support post having a longitudinal axis,a wedge member with a tapered face and mounted to the support post, andsupporting means secured to the member for supporting the member to thesupport post. The supporting means is seated on the support post and themounted wedge member and is actuable between a first position forcompressing the wedge member and supporting the member and a secondposition not compressing the wedge member.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a system forsupporting a member comprises a support post having a longitudinal axisand a wedge member with a tapered face and mounted to the support post.A collar is secured to the member, and a locking mechanism is mounted tothe collar, with the locking mechanism and the collar forming a sleevearound the support post. The locking mechanism is actuable between afirst position for compressing the wedge member and supporting themember and a second position not compressing the wedge member.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, when thelocking mechanism is in the first position, the sleeve engages thesupport post and wedge member and is seated thereon by a wedge action.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, when the lockingmechanism is in the second position, the sleeve is slidable over thesupport post and the wedge member.

These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a shelving system in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a partial perspective view of one corner of the shelvingsystem in accordance with the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a partial perspective view of another corner of the shelvingsystem in accordance with the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collar in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wedge member in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a partial front elevational view of a support post inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a partial side elevational view of the support post shown inFIG. 6A in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6C is a top plan view of the support post shown in FIG. 6A inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a partial side elevational view, partially in cross-section,of the support post and corner assembly in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a partial top plan view of the support post and cornerassembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a left-hand shield inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a support post and wedge memberin accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a corner of a shelving system in accordancewith the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a partial perspective view of a support post and wedgemember in accordance with a first modification of the second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a partial perspective view of a support post and wedgemember in accordance with a second modification of the second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a top view of a corner of a shelving system in accordancewith the modified embodiment shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13B is a top view of a corner of a shelving system in accordancewith the modified embodiment shown in FIG. 12B;

14A is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with the modifiedembodiment shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with themodified embodiment shown in FIG. 12B;

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a support post and a wedgemember in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a top view of a corner of a shelving system in accordancewith the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with the thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of a support post and wedge memberin accordance with a modification of the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with themodified third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of a flanged support post andwedge member in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a top view of a corner portion of a shelving system inaccordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with the fourthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the support assembly in accordancewith the modified embodiment shown in FIG. 12B;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a collar in accordance with a fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with the fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26, is a bottom plan view of the flipper shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a rear elevational view of the flipper shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the flipper taken long lines I--Iin FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the flipper, taken along linesII--II in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a wedge in accordance with the fifthembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, of thewedge shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the support assembly in accordance withthe fifth embodiment as viewed from above a wire shelf frame; and

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the support assembly in accordance withthe fifth embodiment as viewed from below the wire shelf frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of explanation only, and to illustrate in part how thepresent invention may be adapted easily to conventional shelvingtechnology, the support assembly of the present invention will bedescribed below in use with a knock-down shelving system. The shelvingsystem generally includes a plurality of support posts, e.g., four,arranged to support one or more shelves at corner assemblies thereof. Ofcourse, the support assembly of the present invention can be used invarious types of support systems, e.g., cabinets, closets, etc., with ashelving system being only one example thereof. Moreover, the supportassembly can be used in conjunction with many shelf embodiments and isnot limited to use with a corner of a shelf or, for that matter, acorner of any supported member. In the examples given below, the supportassembly is structurally associated with a wire shelf frame designed tobe fitted with plastic shelf mats. However, the support assembly of thepresent invention will be readily adaptable to many other shelfembodiments including, but not limited to, a wire shelf or a solid sheetmetal shelf.

FIG. 1 illustrates one corner of a shelving system utilizing the supportassembly in accordance with the present invention. In this figure, awire shelf frame 10 is positioned on an elongated support post 12 by acorner support assembly 14.

Generally speaking, the corner support assembly 14 is comprised of acollar 16 and a locking mechanism, or flipper, 18 rotatably mounted tothe collar. In this view, the flipper is shown in its unlocked position.The corner support assembly is secured between an end outer rail 24 anda side outer rail 24' which form part of the shelf frame 10. A taperedwedge member 20 is positioned on the post where the shelf frame is to besecured. With the flipper in the closed position, the wedge member iscompressed against the support post 12, and the corner support assembly14 surrounds the support post and wedge member like a sleeve and isseated thereon to support the shelf frame with a wedging force.

Although FIG. 1 is a partial view showing only one corner of theshelving system, it will be understood that the shelving system willnormally include a plurality of support posts 12 corresponding in numberto the number of corner support assemblies 14 in the shelf frame 10. Ina typical shelving system, one or more rectangularly-shaped shelf frameswill have a corner support assembly in each of four corners.

In this embodiment, the wire shelf frame 10 is part of a modular shelfthat is formed by securing the outer rails 24 and 24' to the cornersupport assemblies 14 by conventional means such as welding. In arectangular shelf configuration, for example, two end outer rails 24 andtwo side outer rails 24' will be secured between four corner supportassemblies to comprise the wire shelf frame. As illustrated in FIG. 1,each outer rail includes a top rail 26, a bottom rail 28 and asnake-like rail 30 secured between the top and bottom rails forstability. One or more transverse rails (unshown) can be secured betweenparallel outer rails for additional support and to increase theload-bearing capacity of the shelf.

The preferred material for the collar 16 and the outer rails 24 and 24'is metal, most preferably cold rolled steel or stainless steel. Thesecompositions are relatively light weight, provide high structuralrigidity, and are inexpensive to manufacture by known metal formingmethods. Further, stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and easilycleaned, so that it may be utilized in many sanitary applications,including food service applications.

With reference to FIG. 2A, the wire shelf frame supports one or moreremovable shelf mats 32 to complete the modular shelf. The shelf matsare preferably made of a polymer material and can be snap-fit orotherwise friction fit to the wire shelf frame. This allows the shelfmats to be easily removed and cleaned, if desired. FIG. 2A alsoillustrates shields 22 that can be snap-fit onto the shelf frame at oneor both ends of the side outer rail 24' to provide an aestheticallypleasing, finished look. The vertical edges of the shelf mats 32 at thecorners are cut away to accommodate the shields 22. The shields arepreferably used only on the side outer rails 24', which are normallylonger than the end outer rails 24. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of theshelving system looking at one end of the shelf, which is not providedwith the shield.

An isolated view of the collar 16 is provided in FIG. 3. The collarincludes a cylindrical shaft 34, preferably non-rotatable, securedbetween two lateral sides 36 for rotatably supporting the flipper 18. Inaccordance with the present invention, a rear section of the collar 16joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides is contoured to fit theoutward-facing shape of the post 12. In this embodiment, the post has agenerally triangular cross-section as discussed in detail below. Therear side is thus shaped to have a straight portion 35 angled from eachlateral side and joined by a rounded apex 37.

FIG. 4 illustrates the flipper 18 in accordance with a first embodimentof the subject invention. The flipper, which is preferably integrallyformed, has an upper end 41 and lower end 43. Further, the top end has aflat portion 47 and a rounded portion 49, with the rounded portiondefining part of an open cylindrical cavity 40 for receiving andcontaining the shaft 34 of the collar 16. The lower end includes apreferably flat manipulating portion 42 for grasping by the user. A rearface 44 of the flipper, which extends at an angle from the flat portion47 and cannot be seen in FIG. 4, is shaped to complement the shape ofthe wedge member 20, which in this embodiment is substantially flat. Theflipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis ofthe shaft. The preferred material for the flipper is a rigid moldedplastic such as, for example, reinforced nylon.

While in this embodiment the cylindrical cavity 40 and shaft 34interface to rotatably support the flipper on the collar, other meansfor rotatably supporting the flipper could be provided without departingfrom the scope of the invention. For example, the flipper could haverounded beads on either end that would sit in complementary-shapedindents on the collar, or conversely, the collar could have the roundedbeads which mate with indents on opposite ends of the flipper.

FIG. 5 shows a wedge member 20 designed to clip onto an interior face ofthe support post 12. The wedge member includes a front portion 45flanked by two contoured lips 47 for clipping, or snap-fitting, thewedge member onto the support post. In addition, detent means such asinternal beads, or ribs, 46 are provided on the internal surface of thewedge member and are spaced at intervals corresponding to the spacing ofgrooves on the support post.

The configuration of the internal beads is designed to mate with theconfiguration of the grooves in the support post. Although two internalbeads are shown in the preferred embodiment, the wedge member maycomprise one or more internal beads. Further, the number, size and shapeof the internal beads may be varied for a number of reasons including,for example, the size of the wedge member 20, the size of the spacing ofthe grooves in the support posts, and the shelving application. Theinternal beads provide vertical support when they are seated in thegrooves of a support post. To further secure the wedge member on thesupport posts, additional vertical support is provided by a wedge actionas discussed below. It will therefore be appreciated that the wedgemember 20 may be clipped on to the support posts at any incrementedheight, and further may be translated up and down to any otherincremented height.

A cut-out 48 can be provided in the front portion 45 to view optionalnumbers on the support post for vertically aligning the wedge memberwith wedge members on other support posts.

The outer surface of the front portion is substantially flat in thisembodiment to correspond to the substantially flat rear face 44 of theflipper. Although not readily recognizable in FIG. 5, the front portionis also slightly tapered from its upper end to its lower end, such thatthe lower end is wider and extends toward an interior of the shelvingsystem. In the preferred embodiment, the taper is shallow to maximizerigidity and minimize the thickness of the wedge member. For example,the taper is of the order of 4°. A better view of the tapered shape ofthe wedge member is provided in FIG. 7A, which will be discussed below.

With the tapered shape of the wedge member, an inwardly directed forceis created by the weight of the shelf assembly to provide a wedgingaction between the corner support assembly and the wedge member. Thepreferred material for the wedge member is a molded plastic, such asreinforced nylon. Such a molded plastic wedge member can be easilyclipped on to and off of the support post. However, other materialswhich provide the desired characteristics may be used.

A vertical support post 12 in accordance with this embodiment of theinvention is shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. As best seen in FIG. 6C, thesupport post 12 has a generally right equilateral triangularcross-section, which can also be described as a trilobal cross-section.A right-angled apex 50 and two flat exterior sides 52 face the exteriorof the shelving system, and interior angled apexes 54 and an interiorside 56 of the support post face the interior of the shelving assembly.Accordingly, as explained in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,670, which isherein incorporated by reference, the triangular geometry of the supportpost provides multi-directional stability, particularly in thedirections of critical stress forces, i.e., in a direction parallel tothe edges of the shelf.

The support post includes a plurality of horizontal grooves 58 that arepreferably, but not necessarily, evenly spaced in the longitudinaldirection of the post. In FIGS. 6A through 6C, the grooves are shown toextend entirely across the interior side 56 of the post and partiallyacross the apexes 54 of the post. Of course, grooves of differentlengths could be provided on the support post. The grooves receive theinternal beads 46 of the sleeve. As will be appreciated, othercomparable detent means for positioning the wedge member to the supportpost, such as detent tabs and detent steps as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,811,670, could be used without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Although unshown in the drawings, the top end of each support post 12can be fitted with an end cap and the bottom end with a caster, avertically-adjustable foot, an end cap, etc. As one example, the bottomend of the support post can be fitted with a stem receptacle forthreadably receiving a leveling leg.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate how the collar support assembly 14 is securedto the support post 12. For the sake of simplicity, the outer rails 24and 24' have been deleted in FIG. 7A but are shown to be secured to thelateral sides 36 of the collar 16 in FIG. 7B. When the wedge member 20is mounted on the support post 12 at the desired height, the cornersupport assembly 14 is positioned over the wedge member and the supportpost. In this regard, the collar 16 and flipper 18 together form asleeve that fits over the wedge member and the support post. When theflipper 18 is in the closed, or locked, position as shown in solid linesin FIG. 7A, the rear face 44 of the flipper directs an inward radialcompression force against the wedge member 20, in which the frontportion 45 is cross-hatched for clarity. In addition, the tapered shapeof the wedge creates a wedge action between the wedge member and theflipper for supporting the shelf assembly. It will be appreciated thatthe greater the weight on the shelf, the greater the downward force andthus the greater the wedging force.

FIG. 7A will also be referred to in discussing two salient features ofthe present invention. The first feature relates to the ability of theflipper to easily and quickly release the wedging action between thecorner support assembly and the wedge member. This frees the shelf toslide up or down the support posts. To release the wedging action, theclosed flipper 18 is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction of arrowa to its unlocked position as represented by the dashed lines. Bypivoting the flipper about the shaft 38 in this manner, the compressionforce between the flipper 18 and the wedge member is released. Actuationof the flipper by the user thus allows for quick and reliable releasingof the wedging action.

Another salient feature of the invention is directed to the ability ofthe flipper to allow the corner support assembly to slide over thesupport post and mounted wedge member (or members). At rest, the flipper18 normally hangs, by gravity, in substantially the same position shownin solid lines in FIG. 7A, i.e., with the lower end 43 directeddownwardly. Now, with the flipper in this position and the cornersupport assembly disposed below a wedge member mounted on the supportpost, when the shelf is raised toward the wedge member the lower (andwider) end of the wedge member will initially contact the flat portion47 of the upper end of the flipper, causing it to rotatecounter-clockwise about the shaft 34 in the direction of arrow a. Thisaction raises the flipper toward its unlocked position, whereby therounded portion 49 of the upper end is substantially opposite the wedgemember. As the flipper is biased toward its unlocked position, thecontour of the upper end allows the flipper to pass completely over thewedge member.

The ability of the flipper to be rotated automatically by the wedgemember allows the support assembly to be easily raised up the supportpost. As will be appreciated, when the support assembly is raised over aseries of wedge members spaced apart on the support post, the flipperwill rotate automatically as described above as it passes over eachwedge member and, as it clears the wedge member, rotate in the oppositedirection back to its at-rest position. However, this action of theflipper takes place in only one direction, i.e., raising of the supportassembly 14 relative to the support post, and in that sense can bedescribed as a ratchet-like movement. When the support assembly slidesalong the support post in the opposite direction, i.e., downward towarda mounted wedge member, the rear face 44 of the flipper mates with thefront portion 45 of the wedge member and creates a wedging action. Ofcourse, if the flipper is held in its raised, or unlocked position, theflipper will clear the wedge member and the support assembly can slidedownward over the support post and mounted wedge member(s).

The ability of the corner support assembly to translate relative towedge member mounted on the support post and slide completely thereoverenables both the assembly of a shelving system and an adjustment of theheight of the shelves to be accomplished with ease. To adjust the heightof an individual shelf, for example, a second set of wedge members canbe clipped on to the support posts at the desired new height. Theflippers at the corner support assemblies are then rotated to theunlocked position, releasing the compression force applied to the wedgemembers by the flippers and allowing the shelf to be raised or lowered.To raise the height of the shelf, the shelf is raised along the supportposts to allow the flippers to pass over the second set of wedge membersin the manner described above. Once the flippers clear the wedge members(such that the flipper can rotate back to its at-rest position), theshelf can be lowered, whereby the flippers will seat on their respectivewedge members to create the desired wedging force. The first set ofwedge members can then be removed from the support posts if desired.

It will be appreciated that with this arrangement that allows theflippers to freely rotate, the flippers "self-regulate" themselves asthey return to the at rest position to match the slope of the wedgemember. The flippers thus automatically come to rest against arespective wedge member regardless of the slope of the wedge member tocreate the necessary wedging force.

To assemble a shelving system with a plurality of shelves utilizing thecorner support assembly of the present invention, the shelves can bestacked on the floor one atop the other. One set of wedge members foreach shelf is positioned on the support posts at the desired shelfheights, and then the support posts are inserted in the aligned cornersupport assemblies of the shelves. Each shelf can then be raised,one-by-one, over the sets of wedge members provided for lower shelvesand then over its designated set of wedge members positioned at thedesired height. As the shelf passes over the designated wedge members,it is lowered back thereon to allow the flippers, which fall back to theat-rest position once the wedge members are cleared, to engage and seatagainst the wedge members to create a wedging force for supporting theshelf.

This static system of supporting the shelves, i.e., securing the shelvesdirectly to the support posts, allows for significant load-bearingcapacity while providing an easy to assemble and easy to adjust supportsystem.

With respect to the shields 22 which may be fitted to the shelfassembly, isolated front and rear views of a left-side shield 22 areprovided in FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively. The shield is preferablyformed of a molded plastic having the resiliency necessary to besnap-fit over the outer rails. In FIG. 8A, the shield 22 is shown tohave a substantially flat front face 60 and upper and lower roundedforms, 62 and 64, for snap-fitting onto the outer rails 24'. The frontface is also defined by one vertical edge 66 and one angled edge 68. Asbetter seen in FIG. 8B, the upper and lower forms have a substantiallysemi-circular cross-section and sufficient length to define an extendedcylindrical cavity. When in position, the upper form 62 snap-fits overthe top rail 26 and the lower form 64 snap-fits over the bottom rail 28.Although unshown in the drawin g, a right-hand shield is shaped insubstantially the same way as the left-hand shield, except that thevertical edge and the angled edge are reversed.

While the support system of the present invention has been describedabove in use with substantially triangular-shaped support posts, supportposts of other shapes can be used without departing from the scope ofthe invention. It will be appreciated that the underlying principals ofthe invention can be used to provide a collar that is contoured to fitaround a support post of many shapes and fitted with a rotatable flipperalso contoured to complement the outer surface of a wedge member securedto the support post. The wedge member, as well, can be readily adaptedto fit support posts of various shapes. The second, third and fourthembodiments described below will better illustrate the ability of thesupport system of the present invention to be used with different typesof support posts.

The second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11 shows a supportsystem of the present invention in use with a cylindrical support post.The cylindrical post 110 includes annular grooves 112 for receiving andpositioning a wedge member 114 in substantially the same mannerdescribed above in the first embodiment, i.e., by using detent meanscomprised of the annular grooves 112 and complementary beads on theinterior surface of the wedge member 114. Of course, the interiorsurface of the wedge member will be arcuate in shape to complement thesurface of the cylindrical support post. The outer surface 116 of thewedge member is substantially flat in FIG. 9. As in the firstembodiment, the wedge member is tapered to provide a slightly thicker,lower portion extending toward the interior of the shelving system.

A collar 118 shown in FIG. 10 has a different contour than the collardisclosed in the first embodiment in order to accommodate the shape ofthe support post. In this second embodiment, an apex 122 of the collaris more rounded to fit the cylindrical support post. Rear sides 124 jointhe lateral sides 126 of the collar to the apex. With thisconfiguration, outer rails 128 of the wire shelf frame are preferably,but not necessarily, secured to the rear sides 124 of the collar. Aflipper 130 of substantially the same shape and characteristics as inthe first embodiment is rotatably secured on a shaft 34 extendingbetween the lateral sides 126 of the collar. As in the first embodiment,the rear face of the flipper is substantially flat to complement toouter surface 116 of the wedge member.

In a first modified version of the second embodiment, shown in FIGS.12A, 13A and 14A, the outer surface of the wedge member is altered. Withreference to FIG. 12A, a wedge member 132 having an arcuate outersurface 134 instead of a flat surface is employed. This modified wedgemember fits the support post like a sleeve. The same or comparabledetent means as discussed above can be used to secure the wedge memberto the support post 110. An optional tab could extend from one or bothlateral edges of the wedge member for additional support.

To accommodate for the rounded wedge member, rear sides 124' of thecollar 116 are modified as shown in FIG. 13A to fit the contour of thewedge member 132. In this modification, the outer rails 128 are securedto the lateral sides of the collar 126. In addition, the rear face ofthe flipper 130 is cut out to form a semicircular cavity 138 forengaging the wedge member. The modified complementary shapes of thewedge member and the flipper create a wedging action sufficient tosupport a shelf when the flipper closes to compress the wedge member,which is still tapered in the manner described above.

Another modification of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 12B,13B, 14B and 23. This modification features a two-piece interlockingsleeve 135 of type used in the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving systemdescribed above. In that regard, the sleeve 135 is comprised of firstand second halves, 137 and 139, respectively, that are snap-fit aroundthe support post and secured to each other by, for example, a tongue andgroove arrangement. The sleeve includes one or more ribs (unshown) onits interior surface for engaging an equal number of grooves on thesupport post. The sleeve also has a frusto-conically-shaped outersurface, which is widest at the bottom.

To accommodate for the frusto-conical shape of the sleeve, a collar 123will be provided with a rear section 125 that slopes outwardly from topto bottom to complement the slope of the sleeve. The slight slope of thecollar 123 is best seen in FIG. 23. The top view of the support assemblyin FIG. 13B also illustrates this aspect of the invention. The flipper130 is substantially identical to the flipper illustrated in FIG. 14Aand discussed above, and likewise creates a wedging force when closed tocompress the sleeve.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 15 through17. This embodiment features use of a square support post 140 withcircumferential grooves 142 equally-spaced in the longitudinaldirection. In keeping with the shape of the support post, an innersurface of wedge member 144 has a right-angled V-shaped cut-out forreceiving a corner of the support post. Other aspects of the wedgemember are the same as in embodiments 1 and 2 described above, i.e., thewedge member includes detent means for mating with the support post andhas a tapered outer surface 145.

FIG. 16 shows a collar 146 with a right-angled rear side 148 tocomplement the outer corner of the support post. Outer rails 150 of theshelf frame are preferably secured to lateral sides 152 of the collar inthis embodiment. Substantially the same flipper 154 as disclosed in thefirst and second embodiments is rotatably mounted on a shaft between thelateral sides 152 of the collar in the same manner described above. Theouter surface of the wedge member and the rear face of the flipper arecomplementary-shaped to mate with each other, and in the illustratedexample are both substantially flat.

In a modification of the third embodiment, tapered wedge member 144' canbe formed with a right-angled outer surface as shown in FIG. 18. Toaccommodate for this modification, flipper member 154' has aright-angled cut-out 156 in its rear face as shown in FIG. 19 tocomplement the shape of the wedge member, which is tapered as describedabove. The modified flipper is thus able to compress the wedge member inthe same manner described above to create a wedging force for supportinga shelf.

In the fourth embodiment, the support system of the present invention isused in conjunction with a flanged support post 160 as shown in FIG. 20.The flanged support post itself is the subject of U.S. application Ser.No. 08/426,674, and is formed to have an interior post 162 with aplurality of radially extending flanges 164 spaced equally about itscircumference. With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, each flange includes afirst portion 166 extending radially from the interior post and a secondportion 168 transverse to the first portion and having an arcuate outerperiphery. Longitudinal slots 170 are formed between each adjacent pairof flanges 164. Lateral circumferential grooves 172 can also be formedon each flange and evenly spaced in the longitudinal direction.

A tapered wedge member 174 can be secured to the support post by thesame or comparable detent means used to secure the wedge members in theabove-described embodiments. Alternatively, the wedge member could besecured to the flanged support post by interacting with the longitudinalslots 170. The collar 176 shown in FIG. 21 has a rounded back section178 contoured to fit around the circumference of the flanged supportpost. As in the other embodiments, a flipper 180 is rotatably securedbetween lateral sides 182 of the collar for compressing the wedgemember.

A fifth embodiment of present invention is shown in various isolatedviews in FIGS. 24 through 31 and in an assembled state in FIGS. 32 and33. This embodiment generally features modified versions of severalelements disclosed initially in connection with the first embodiment ofthe invention. More particularly, modifications of a collar and aflipper (collectively a corner support assembly) and of a tapered wedgemember are disclosed below.

The modified elements are designed for use with a triangular supportpost 12 as shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C, as in the first disclosedembodiment. As will be appreciated, however, the following modificationsare readily adapted to corner support assemblies and wedges designed foruse with support posts of other shapes, including but not limited to theshapes disclosed in the second, third and fourth embodiments.

A collar 200 of the fifth embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25.As in the first embodiment, the collar includes a cylindrical shaft 202,preferably non-rotatable, secured between two lateral sides 204 forrotatably supporting a flipper. A rear section of the collar connectingthe two lateral sides is contoured to fit the outward facing shape ofthe support post. With the post having a generally triangularcross-section in this embodiment as discussed above, the rear section isthus shaped to have straight portions 206 angled from each lateral sideand joined by a rounded apex 208.

In this embodiment, the shaft 202 is secured at substantially thevertical center, or a middle portion, of the collar as shown in FIG. 24.In addition, a top portion 210 of the collar has a larger radius thanthe collar shown in FIG. 3. For example, in one embodiment the radius ofthe top portion 210 in FIG. 24 is 0.875" and the radius of a lowerportion 212 of the collar is 0.250".

A flipper 214 in accordance with this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 25through 29. The perspective view of FIG. 25 shows the flipper 214 toinclude, at its top end 216, a flat portion 218 and a rounded portion220. In addition, a preferably flat transition portion 219 existsbetween the flat and rounded portions. An open cylindrical cavity 222receives and contains the shaft 202 of the collar. As will beappreciated, the top end 216 of the flipper is substantially the same asthe top end of the flipper disclosed in the first embodiment.

The primary difference of the flipper in this embodiment is that itsbottom end 224 is rounded instead of flat like the flipper shown in FIG.4. As best seen in FIGS. 25 and 26, the rounded bottom end 224 alsoincludes a rounded bottom edge 226. As in the first embodiment, thebottom edge is preferably chamfered. The rounding of this portion of theflipper provides a semi-circular cavity 228 in which the fingers of theuser can comfortably rest when opening the flipper. Rounding the bottomend 224 also makes the flipper less susceptible to being accidentallyopened by movement of articles on the shelf below.

As in the first embodiment, a rear face 229 of the flipper issubstantially flat to complement the shape of the wedge member. As shownin FIGS. 27 and 29, however, the rear face 228 can include pockets 230to aid in molding.

A wedge member 232 in this embodiment is substantially the same wedgemember shown in FIG. 5, but with a greater body length. As in the firstembodiment, the wedge member 232 in FIG. 30 includes a front portion 234flanked by two contoured lips 236 for clipping, or snap-fitting, thewedge member onto the support post. Internal beads, or ribs, 238 areprovided on the internal surface of the wedge member and are spaced atintervals corresponding to the spacing of grooves on the support post,as in the first embodiment.

The cross-sectional view of FIG. 31 illustrates the extra body length ofthe wedge member in this embodiment. The extra body length a, in thisexample 0.625", is added to the top portion of the wedge member 232,making its total length 2.625". As seen in this figure, the extra bodylength a is not tapered as is the remaining length b of the wedgemember. As illustrated, the lower end is wider than the upper end so asto extend toward an interior end of the shelving system. In thisembodiment, the taper is of the order of 4°.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 32 and 33, the collar, the flipper and thewedge member of this embodiment work together in the same mannerdisclosed in the first embodiment to securely support a shelf wire frame10 on the support posts. In this embodiment, however, moving the shaft202 to the center, or middle portion, of the collar serves to moreevenly distribute the stress on the top and bottom rails, 26 and 28, ofthe wire shelf frame 10 where they are secured (such as by welding) tothe collar 200. With this arrangement, the shelf sits a little higher upon the support assembly than in the first embodiment, and the longerwedge makes it easier to reduce or even eliminate the space between acorner of a shelf mat and the support post, which can trap dirt, foodparticles or other undesirable items.

As the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments describes, anadvantage of the present invention is that it allows a user to quicklyand easily change the height of the supported item, e.g., a shelf, toaccommodate a variety of shelving applications. Moreover, since thesupport system allows the shelf frame to slide over the wedge membermounted on the support posts, height adjustment is easy and can be donewithout tools or without having to remove adjacent shelves.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above in detail, it will be understood that this descriptionis merely for purposes of illustration. Various modifications of andequivalent structures corresponding to the disclosed aspects of thepreferred embodiments in addition to those described above may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention which is defined in the following claims, the scope ofwhich is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompasssuch modifications and equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support system, comprising:a support post; awedge member, having a tapered portion, located on said support post;and support means for adjustably supporting a member to said supportpost, said support means including a locking mechanism movable between afirst position for press-fitting said wedge member against said supportpost and a second position for releasing the press-fitting, said lockingmechanism having a surface that abuts said wedge member when in thefirst position thereby to effect said press-fitting and that is releasedfrom said wedge member when moved to said second position to releasesaid press-fitting.
 2. A support system according to claim 1, whereinsaid support means comprises a collar adapted to be structurallyassociated with the supported member, and said locking mechanism isrotatably supported by said collar, with said locking mechanism and saidcollar forming a sleeve surrounding said support post.
 3. A supportsystem according to claim 2, wherein said collar is contoured tocomplement a cross-sectional shape of said support post.
 4. A supportsystem according to claim 2, wherein said support post has a generallyright equilateral triangular cross-section with a rounded right angularapex.
 5. A support system according to claim 4, wherein said collarcomprises first and second lateral sides and a rear section connectingsaid first and second lateral sides and having a rounded apex tocomplement the rounded right angular apex of said support post.
 6. Asupport system according to claim 5, wherein said collar furthercomprises means for securing said locking mechanism.
 7. A support systemaccording to claim 6, wherein said securing means comprises acylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides ofsaid collar.
 8. A support system according to claim 7, wherein saidcylindrical shaft is secured between upper portions of said first andsecond lateral sides of said collar.
 9. A support system according toclaim 7, wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between middleportions of said first and second lateral sides of said collar.
 10. Asupport system according to claim 1, wherein said tapered portion ofsaid wedge member extends along its entire length.
 11. A support systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said tapered portion of said wedge memberextends along part of its length.
 12. A support system according toclaim 1, wherein said tapered portion of said wedge member extends alonga lower part of its length.
 13. A support system according to claim 1,wherein said wedge member is clipped on to said support post, with saidlocking mechanism having a rear face mating with an outer surface ofsaid wedge member.
 14. A support system according to claim 13, whereinsaid outer surface and said rear face are substantially flat tocomplement each other.
 15. A support system according to claim 13,wherein said outer surface is convex and said rear face is concave tocomplement each other.
 16. A support system according to claim 13,wherein said outer surface is angled and said rear face has an angledcavity to complement each other.
 17. A support system according to claim1, wherein when said locking mechanism is in the second position, thesupport means can pass over said support post and said wedge member. 18.A support system according to claim 1, with said support means beingtranslatable relative to said support post, wherein when said supportmeans translates in a first direction said locking mechanism passes oversaid wedge member and when said support means translates in a seconddirection said locking mechanism seats on said wedge member and createsa wedging force.
 19. A support system according to claim 18, furthercomprising means for actuating said locking mechanism toward the secondposition when said support means slides in the first direction to allowsaid locking mechanism to pass over said wedge member.
 20. A supportsystem according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism has a flatlower portion.
 21. A support system according to claim 1, wherein saidlocking mechanism has a rounded lower portion.
 22. A support systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about anaxis when said surface abuts said wedge member.
 23. A support systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about anaxis transverse to a longitudinal axis of said support post when saidsurface abuts said wedge member.
 24. A system for supporting a member,said system comprising:a support post having a longitudinal axis; awedge member with a tapered face and mounted to said support post; andsupport means adapted to be secured to the member for supporting themember to said support post, said support means forming a sleeve aroundsaid support post and seated on said support post and said mounted wedgemember, wherein said support means is actuable between a first positioncompressing said wedge member and supporting the member and a secondposition not compressing said wedge member.
 25. A system according toclaim 24, wherein said locking mechanism in the first position supportsthe member by a wedge action with said wedge member.
 26. A systemaccording to claim 24, wherein said locking mechanism in the secondposition releases the compressive force applied to said support post andsaid wedge member.
 27. A system according to claim 24, wherein saidlocking mechanism in the second position is slidable over said supportpost and said wedge member.
 28. A system according to claim 24, whereinsaid support assembly comprises a collar adapted to be structurallyassociated with the member, with said locking mechanism rotatablysupported on said collar.
 29. A system according to claim 28, whereinsaid locking mechanism has a rear face mating with an outer surface ofsaid wedge member.
 30. A system according to claim 29, wherein saidouter surface and said rear face are substantially flat to complementeach other.
 31. A system according to claim 29, wherein said outersurface is convex and said rear face is concave to complement eachother.
 32. A system according to claim 29, wherein said outer surface isangled and said rear face has an angled cavity to complement each other.33. A system according to claim 28, wherein said collar includes firstand second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first andsecond lateral sides, said rear section shaped to complement a contourof said support post.
 34. A system according to claim 33, wherein saidcollar further comprises means for securing said locking mechanism. 35.A system according to claim 34, wherein said securing means comprises acylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides ofsaid collar.
 36. A system according to claim 35, wherein saidcylindrical shaft is secured between upper portions of said first andsecond lateral sides of said collar.
 37. A system according to claim 35,wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between middle portions ofsaid first and second lateral sides of said collar.
 38. A systemaccording to claims 28, wherein said locking mechanism has a flat lowerportion.
 39. A system according to claim 28, wherein said lockingmechanism has a rounded lower portion.
 40. A system according to claim24, with said sleeve receiving said support post and wedge member andtranslatable relative thereto, wherein when said support assemblytranslates in a first direction said locking mechanism passes over saidwedge member and when said support assembly translates in a seconddirection said locking mechanism seats on said wedge member and createsa wedging force.
 41. A system according to claim 24, further comprisingmeans for actuating said locking mechanism toward the second positionwhen said support assembly slides in the first direction to allow saidlocking mechanism to pass over said wedge member.
 42. A system accordingto claim 24, wherein said tapered face extends along an entire length ofsaid wedge member.
 43. A system according to claim 24, wherein saidtapered face extends along part of a length of said wedge member.
 44. Asystem according to claim 43, wherein said tapered face extends along alower part of the length of said wedge member.
 45. A system forsupporting a member, said system comprising:a support post having alongitudinal axis; a wedge member with a tapered face and mounted tosaid support post; a collar adapted to be secured to the member; and alocking mechanism mounted to said collar, said locking mechanism andsaid collar forming a sleeve surrounding said support post, wherein saidlocking mechanism is movable between a first position in which itcompresses said wedge member thereby to support the member and a secondposition in which it does not compress said wedge member.
 46. A systemaccording to claim 45, wherein when said locking mechanism is in thefirst position, said sleeve engages said support post and wedge memberand is seated thereon by a wedge action.
 47. A system according to claim45, wherein when said locking mechanism is in the second position, saidsleeve is slidable over said support post and said wedge member.
 48. Asystem according to claim 45, wherein when said locking mechanism is inthe second position, the compressive force is released from said supportpost and said wedge member.
 49. A system according to claim 45, whereinsaid locking mechanism has a rear face mating with an outer surface ofsaid wedge member.
 50. A system according to claim 49, wherein saidouter surface and said rear face are substantially flat to complementeach other.
 51. A system according to claim 49, wherein said outersurface is convex and said rear face is concave to complement eachother.
 52. A system according to claim 49, wherein said outer surface isangled and said rear face has an angled cavity to complement each other.53. A system according to claim 45, wherein said collar comprises firstand second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first andsecond lateral sides, said rear section shaped to complement a contourof said support post.
 54. A system according to claim 53, wherein saidcollar further comprises means for securing said locking mechanism. 55.A system according to claim 54, wherein said securing means comprises acylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides ofsaid collar.
 56. A system according to claim 55, wherein saidcylindrical shaft is secured between upper portions of said first andsecond lateral sides of said collar.
 57. A system according to claim 55,wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between middle portions ofsaid first and second lateral sides of said collar.
 58. A systemaccording to claim 45, wherein said support post has a generally rightequilateral triangular cross-section with a rounded right angular apex.59. A system according to claim 45, with said sleeve receiving saidsupport post and wedge member and translatable relative thereto, whereinwhen said sleeve translates in a first direction said locking mechanismpasses over said wedge member and when said sleeve translates in asecond direction said locking mechanism seats on said wedge member andcreates a wedging force.
 60. A support system according to claim 59,further comprising means for actuating said locking mechanism toward thesecond position when said support means slides in the first direction toallow said locking mechanism to pass over said wedge member.
 61. Asystem according to claim 45, wherein said tapered face extends along anentire length of said wedge member.
 62. A system according to claim 45,wherein said tapered face extends along a part of a length of said wedgemember.
 63. A system according to claim 62, wherein said tapered faceextends along a lower part of the length of said wedge member.
 64. Asystem according to claim 45, wherein said locking mechanism has a flatlower portion.
 65. A system according to claim 45, wherein said lockingmechanism has a rounded lower portion.
 66. A system according to claim45, wherein said locking mechanism rotates between the first and secondpositions about an axis.
 67. A system according to claim 66, whereinsaid locking mechanism rotates about an axis transverse to thelongitudinal axis of said support post.